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by Michael Portantiere

Alan Menken Seizes the Day

  • The great composer Alan Menken was honored by Encompass New Opera Theatre on Sunday, October 21 at the National Arts Club in a celebration that featured memorable performances of his songs, as well as tributes by three of Menken's lyricists -- Jack Feldman, Glenn Slater, and David Zippel -- and other notables. Here are my photos of this special event.

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    The man of the hour, Alan Menken.

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    Menken with his proud parents. (His mother told me she was "kvelling!")

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    Karen Mason and Karen Ziemba.

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    Lindsay Mendez and Farah Alvin.

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    Klea Blackhurst.

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    David Zippel and Jack Feldman.

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    Glenn Slater with Scott Coulter.

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    Sheldon Harnick and his wife, Margery.

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    Angela Lansbury, who played Mrs. Potts and sang the title song in Beauty and the Beast, stopped by briefly at the start of the ceremony. Here she is with Ward Morehouse III.

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    A highlight of the evening was Menken's own performance of some of his biggest hits.



    Published on Monday, October 22, 2012


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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